Thermal images help for the bat monitoring

Thermal images of bats with FLIR camera

We tested the thermal imaging as a method for the study of bats during our latest expedition on 14th April. We used a thermal camera FLIR in combination with an Android tablet. Our goal was to observe areas in the caves, where it is very difficult to spot bats with the help of the thermal camera. Our new technique works very well and will be implemented in future monitoring.

Working with the thermal camera

During this field trip (14.04.2016) we visited the caves EMUS and Arelys. EMUS is one of the caves in the southern region with highest importance for bats – we observed more than 300 bats from the species Seba’s short-tailed bat (Carollia perspicillata), together with four other species of bats.

Mother Carollia, carrying her baby in the EMUS caveSac-winged bats in the EMUS caveResearch in the Arelys cave.